Some of the attendees at the mass cult renunciation ceremony in Benin City, where more than 100 people publicly denounced their membership of cult groups.
More than 100 people have publicly renounced their membership of various cult groups in Edo State, as Governor Monday Okpebholo warned those who refuse to abandon cultism that his administration would show them no mercy.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, stating that the governor gave the warning during a mass renunciation and denunciation ceremony themed “Restitution, Rehabilitation and Safer Edo State” at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub on Airport Road, Benin City.
Okpebholo commended the participants for choosing to abandon cultism, saying the decision would help save their lives and spare their families further pain.
“On our part, we are not afraid to go after cultists and criminal elements in the state. Please take the message back to those that have not changed, they still have the power to renounce because if they are caught, there will be no mercy,” he said.
The governor warned that the government would demolish buildings used for cult-related activities, adding that security agencies would continue to support efforts to tackle cultism and other violent crimes.
“The security forces are still behind us. I am ready and hungry to give the directive to demolish any house used for cult-related activities,” he said.
Okpebholo said his administration was offering young people willing to abandon crime opportunities for rehabilitation and a fresh start.
“We are offering genuine opportunities for rehabilitation and ensuring that your past does not define your future,” he said.
The governor claimed that Edo recorded more than 300 cult-related killings annually when his administration assumed office less than two years ago, but said the figure had since dropped to almost zero.
“Through stronger laws, better security operations, improved intelligence, and tougher enforcement, these killings have been reduced to almost zero,” he said.
He also said kidnapping incidents had declined as the government intensified efforts to protect residents and secure communities.
Okpebholo described cultism as a breeding ground for kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes, urging those yet to renounce their membership to resist fear, intimidation and peer pressure.
“Your life is worth more than cult loyalty. Your family, community and Edo State need you,” he said.
He stressed that his administration would continue to pursue cultists, kidnappers and other criminal elements, regardless of their personal or family connections.
“Even if my child is involved, the right thing must be done. No hiding place for criminals in Edo State. No colour in Edo State, we are all brothers,” he said.
The coordinator of the Edo State Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultists, Noah Idemudia, commended the governor for establishing the squad and supporting its collaboration with security agencies.
“You chose to fight cultism and kidnapping and we joined you in the fight and today success has been recorded,” Idemudia said.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, said the renunciation programme was intended to save young lives and encourage former cult members to become productive members of society.
“This event today shows you love the lives of Edo youths and don’t want them to be killed anymore but live a productive life. Cultism is a path that leads to death and for young men here today, please don’t follow the path of death anymore,” he said.
The Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, described the exercise as a step towards achieving the security component of the governor’s SHINE Agenda.
He said the number of participants publicly renouncing cultism represented a reduction in the strength of cult groups and an increase in the number of residents choosing lawful lives.
A political figure in the state, Francis Inegbeneki, commended the governor for his efforts against cultism, which he said had caused widespread suffering in Edo.
Inegbeneki urged Okpebholo to extend similar efforts to tackling drug abuse, which he said was closely linked to cultism.
“The zeal you have used in tackling cultism extends the same in tackling drugs,” he said.
The Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Roland Otaru, said cult-related activities had destroyed lives and property across the state.
He urged cult members to take advantage of the renunciation programme and become law-abiding citizens, adding that the establishment of a Special Criminal Court had strengthened the state’s criminal justice system.